The '''Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Churches in Australia''' (SCCOCA) was an organisation founded in 1979 under the leadership of [[Archbishop]] [[Stylianos (Harkianakis) of Australia]] and intended to help cooperation among the Orthodox jurisdictions in Australia, under the permanent chairmanship of the representative of the [[Church of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarchate]].

The '''Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Churches in Australia''' (SCCOCA) was an organisation founded in 1979 under the leadership of [[Archbishop]] [[Stylianos (Harkianakis) of Australia]] and intended to help cooperation among the Orthodox jurisdictions in Australia, under the permanent chairmanship of the representative of the [[Church of Constantinople|Ecumenical Patriarchate]].

+

+

It could be presumed, but has not been officially stated, that SCCOCA was superseded by the Episcopal Assembly of Oceania.

*[[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia]]: delegation consisting of Archbishop Stylianos, [[Archimandrite]] [[Stephanos (Pantanassiotis)|Stephanos]] (vicar-general of the archdiocese), and Mr James Samios (legal counsel and director of public relations for the archdiocese).

*[[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia]]: delegation consisting of Archbishop Stylianos, [[Archimandrite]] [[Stephanos (Pantanassiotis)|Stephanos]] (vicar-general of the archdiocese), and Mr James Samios (legal counsel and director of public relations for the archdiocese).

*[[Australian jurisdictions without a local bishop|Romanian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand]]: delegation consisting of V. Rev. Dr. [[Gabriel Popescu]].

*[[Australian jurisdictions without a local bishop|Romanian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand]]: delegation consisting of V. Rev. Dr. [[Gabriel Popescu]].

*[[ROCOR]] - [[Diocese of Australia and New Zealand (ROCOR)|Diocese of Australia and New Zealand]]: delegation consisting of Archbishop [[Theodosius (Putilin) of Sydney|Theodosius]] and Fr Nicholas Gan.

*[[ROCOR]] - [[Diocese of Australia and New Zealand (ROCOR)|Diocese of Australia and New Zealand]]: delegation consisting of Archbishop [[Theodosius (Putilin) of Sydney|Theodosius]] and Fr Nicholas Gan.

−

*[[Serbian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand]] (Metropolitanate of New Granica): delegation consisting of Bishop [[Vasilije (Vadic) of Australia and New Zealand |Vasilije]] and Fr Milorad Loncar.

+

*[[Serbian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand]] (Metropolitanate of New Gracanica): delegation consisting of Bishop [[Vasilije (Vadic) of Australia and New Zealand|Vasilije]] and Fr Milorad Loncar.

==Membership-related Events==

==Membership-related Events==

−

===Regarding the [[Diocese of Australia and New Zealand (ROCOR)|Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]]===

−

ROCOR chose to withdraw from membership in SCCOCA<!-- in 19xx, because of tensions created by the rise in ecumenism? -->.

−

===Regarding the [[Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand]]===

===Regarding the [[Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand]]===

−

According to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, the acceptance of schismatic Romanian communities run by defrocked priests has forced SCCOCA to exclude the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand from membership until said actions are reversed.{{citation}}

−

According to the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand, SCCOCA's complete inactivity between early 1999 and early 2006, (except for a letter from Bp [[Seraphim (Ginis) of Apollonias|Seraphim]] in March 2000), justifies its view of SCCOCA as being dead. Consequently, it is impossible to be excluded from a non-existent organisation.[http://www.antiochian.org.au/content/view/394/6/]

+

According to the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand, SCCOCA's complete inactivity between early 1999 and early 2006, (except for a letter from Bp [[Seraphim (Ginis) of Apollonias|Seraphim]] in March 2000), justifies its view of SCCOCA as being dead. The Antiochian Archdiocese looks forward to a time when it is possible for all Orthodox jurisdictions in Australia to come together co-operatively and with unity.

−

It should be noted that the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese also denies that any Romanian communities were schismatic or run by defrocked priests within its jurisdiction. Instead its Romanian priest was released with the personal permission and blessing of Patriarch [[Teoctist (Arapasu) of Romania|Teoctist]]. This priest subsequently established a worship community which has always been within "the gentle care and loving guidance" of Antioch.[http://www.antiochian.org.au/content/view/394/6/]

+

There is an allegation from Greek Orthodox sources that "the acceptance by the Antiochian Archdiocese of schismatic Romanian communities run by defrocked priests has forced the exclusion of the Antiochian Archdiocese from SCCOCA". The Antiochian Archdiocese denies that any Romanian communities within its jurisdiction were schismatic or run by defrocked priests. Rather, the Romanian priest was released with the personal permission and blessing of Patriarch [[Teoctist (Arapasu) of Romania|Teoctist]], and subsequently established a worship community which has always been within the Antiochian Archdiocese and has therefore never been schismatic [http://www.antiochian.org.au/content/view/394/6/]. Added to which, a chairman has no right or authority to exclude any jurisdiction on his own motion without a decision by SCCOCA itself.

−

===Regarding the Romanian Othodox Church===

+

===Regarding the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia]]===

−

Some Romanian communities looked to the Ecumenical Archbishop in Australia for episcopal support, but others look to other bishops within Australia for episcopal assistance. The Romanian Patriarchate has never delegated responsibility for any of its Romanian flock in Australia to any bishop, but has simply asked some to kindly provide episcopal assistance when invited.

+

−

Although Rev Fr Dr Popescu was present at the foundation of SCCOCA, the Romanian Orthodox Church was never an actual member of SCCOCA since, according to Patriarch Teoctist of Bucharest, the Romanian Patriarchate never sanctioned this move.

+

According to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, SCCOCA still exists because two of the member bishops, and visitors from other jurisdictions, concelebrated Vespers on the Sunday of Orthodoxy and Bright Friday in 2006:

−

==Current Events==

+

:"In March 2006, Vespers of the Sunday of Orthodoxy was celebrated at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Marrickville with Archbishop [[Stylianos (Harkianakis) of Australia|Stylianos]] of the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia|Greek Orthodox Church]], the Bishop [[Milutin (Knezevic) of Australia and New Zealand|Milutin]] of the [[Serbian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand|Serbian Orthodox Church]], as well as clergy from the [[Australian jurisdictions without a local bishop|Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Partriarchate)]] and the [[Australian jurisdictions without a local bishop|Romanian Orthodox Church]]. In total about 35 clergy were present surrounded by about 500 faithful. The event was powerful, sombre and moving as each of the jurisdictions read the testimony from the [[Seventh_Ecumenical_Council|7th Ecumenical council]] in their respective languages as well as English. The ceremony ended with exchanges of words of love and solidarity by the bishops. In similar spirit on the morning of Friday after Pascha (28 April 2006), SCOCCA again joined to concelebrate the Paschal Liturgy and to share a common Paschal meal at the Greek Orthodox Parish of St. Euphemia, Bankstown NSW."

−

According to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, SCCOCA member churches concelebrated on the Vespers of Orthodoxy and Thomas Sunday.

+

A [http://www.spc.org.yu/Vesti-2006/05/04-05-06-e.html#aus report on the Bright Friday event] from a Serbian source refers to this as a concelebration of a "Pan-Orthodox Holy Hierarchical Liturgy".

−

:"In March 2006, Vespers of the Sunday of Orthodoxy was celebrated at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Marrickville with Archbishop [[Stylianos (Harkianakis) of Australia|Stylianos]] of the [[Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia|Greek Orthodox Church]], the Bishop [[Milutin (Knezevic) of Australia and New Zealand|Milutin]] of the [[Serbian Orthodox Dioceses of Australia and New Zealand|Serbian Orthodox Church]], as well as representative clergy from the [[Australian jurisdictions without a local bishop|Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Partriarchate)]] and the [[Australian jurisdictions without a local bishop|Romanian Orthodox Church]]. In total about 35 clergy were present surrounded by about 500 faithful. The event was powerful, sombre and moving as each of the jurisdictions read the testimony from the [[Seventh_Ecumenical_Council|7th Ecumenical council]] in their respective languages as well as English. The ceremony ended with exchanges of words of love and solidarity by the bishops."

+

===Regarding the [[Australian jurisdictions without a local bishop|Romanian Orthodox Church in Australia and New Zealand]]===

−

Consistent with its earlier stated view, the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand says there cannot be current events in an organisation that [http://www.antiochian.org.au/content/view/394/6/ "is dead"] (Metropolitan Archbishop [[Paul (Saliba) of Australia and New Zealand|Paul]]), and repeats there was no common activity from 1999 to 2006.

+

Although Fr Gabriel Popescu was present at the foundation of SCCOCA, the [[Church of Romania|Romanian Orthodox Church]] was never an actual member of SCCOCA since, according to Patriarch Teoctist, the [[Church of Romania|Romanian Patriarchate]] never sanctioned this move.

−

==Future Events==

+

===Regarding the [[Diocese of Australia and New Zealand (ROCOR)|Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia]]===

+

+

According to Father Nicholas Gan, the ROCOR archbishop's official representative to SCCOCA at the time, there was disquiet within ROCOR about some of the ecumenical activities of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. But he said ROCOR was "driven out of SCCOCA after one too many screaming matches from the chief antagonist" in that organisation, and because of that hierarch's "invective" about ROCOR being "totally non-canonical" and "having no right to be in Australia, because it is a territory of the Ecumenical Patriarchate".

−

The Antiochian Archdiocese looks forward to the time when God wills for a cooperative meeting of all the Eastern Orthodox jurisdictions in Australia. Metropolitan Archbishop Paul prays for a gathering devoted to the stability and good relations between all the jurisdictions present in Australia, with a view to working harmoniously and in good faith towards that point when "they all may be one, as You Father and I are one" (Jn 17:21). Until that time comes, the primate and members of the Antiochian Archdiocese continue to pray for the unity of witness, worship, and loving kindness, which should be found in all true-believing churches throughout the world.

+

Fr Nicholas Gan said the "Greek Archdiocese of Australia later put it about that ROCOR chose to depart in protest over the involvement of other jurisdictions in the ecumenical movement." [http://www.antiochian.org.au/content/view/413/6/]

==See also==

==See also==

*[[Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas]]

*[[Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas]]

+

*[[Eastern Hierarchs]]

==External links==

==External links==

−

* [http://home.it.com.au/~jgrapsas/pages/scocca.htm History of SCCOCA] from the website of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (covering the foundation of SCCOCA)

+

* [http://www.greekorthodox.net.au/pages/scocca.htm Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Churches in Australia (S.C.C.O.C.A.)], from the website of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (source for the foundation of SCCOCA).

−

* [http://www.antiochian.org.au/content/view/394/6/ History of SCCOCA] from the website of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand (including recent events regarding the Antiochian Archdiocese]]

+

* [http://www.antiochian.org.au/content/view/394/6/ SCCOCA Australia "Dead"], providing a history of SCCOCA, as well as recent events regarding the Antiochian Archdiocese. (source of recent Antiochian events)

The Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Churches in Australia (SCCOCA) was an organisation founded in 1979 under the leadership of ArchbishopStylianos (Harkianakis) of Australia and intended to help cooperation among the Orthodox jurisdictions in Australia, under the permanent chairmanship of the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

It could be presumed, but has not been officially stated, that SCCOCA was superseded by the Episcopal Assembly of Oceania.

Membership-related Events

According to the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand, SCCOCA's complete inactivity between early 1999 and early 2006, (except for a letter from Bp Seraphim in March 2000), justifies its view of SCCOCA as being dead. The Antiochian Archdiocese looks forward to a time when it is possible for all Orthodox jurisdictions in Australia to come together co-operatively and with unity.

There is an allegation from Greek Orthodox sources that "the acceptance by the Antiochian Archdiocese of schismatic Romanian communities run by defrocked priests has forced the exclusion of the Antiochian Archdiocese from SCCOCA". The Antiochian Archdiocese denies that any Romanian communities within its jurisdiction were schismatic or run by defrocked priests. Rather, the Romanian priest was released with the personal permission and blessing of Patriarch Teoctist, and subsequently established a worship community which has always been within the Antiochian Archdiocese and has therefore never been schismatic [1]. Added to which, a chairman has no right or authority to exclude any jurisdiction on his own motion without a decision by SCCOCA itself.

According to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, SCCOCA still exists because two of the member bishops, and visitors from other jurisdictions, concelebrated Vespers on the Sunday of Orthodoxy and Bright Friday in 2006:

"In March 2006, Vespers of the Sunday of Orthodoxy was celebrated at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Marrickville with Archbishop Stylianos of the Greek Orthodox Church, the Bishop Milutin of the Serbian Orthodox Church, as well as clergy from the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Partriarchate) and the Romanian Orthodox Church. In total about 35 clergy were present surrounded by about 500 faithful. The event was powerful, sombre and moving as each of the jurisdictions read the testimony from the 7th Ecumenical council in their respective languages as well as English. The ceremony ended with exchanges of words of love and solidarity by the bishops. In similar spirit on the morning of Friday after Pascha (28 April 2006), SCOCCA again joined to concelebrate the Paschal Liturgy and to share a common Paschal meal at the Greek Orthodox Parish of St. Euphemia, Bankstown NSW."

Although Fr Gabriel Popescu was present at the foundation of SCCOCA, the Romanian Orthodox Church was never an actual member of SCCOCA since, according to Patriarch Teoctist, the Romanian Patriarchate never sanctioned this move.

According to Father Nicholas Gan, the ROCOR archbishop's official representative to SCCOCA at the time, there was disquiet within ROCOR about some of the ecumenical activities of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. But he said ROCOR was "driven out of SCCOCA after one too many screaming matches from the chief antagonist" in that organisation, and because of that hierarch's "invective" about ROCOR being "totally non-canonical" and "having no right to be in Australia, because it is a territory of the Ecumenical Patriarchate".

Fr Nicholas Gan said the "Greek Archdiocese of Australia later put it about that ROCOR chose to depart in protest over the involvement of other jurisdictions in the ecumenical movement." [2]